Biographies
from
The History of Otsego County, New York
1740-1878
D. Hamilton Hurd
Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia
CHAPMAN, Uriah - Unadilla
The subject of this sketch was born in Meredith, Delaware Co.,
N.Y., July 30, 1808. His was the son of John and Sally Chapman.
His father was a native of Connecticut, and of English origin. The
family came to Unadilla in the year 1816, and the following year
purchased the farm on which the Chapman family still reside.
The land at that time was nearly all heavily timbered. John was
unfortunate in business; and about the year 1830 left the farm, which
was considerably encumbered, in the possession of Uriah, and went
to Tompkins county, where he died March 18, 1858, his wife having
died a few years earlier.
Upon the departure of the father for Tompkins county, Uriah set
himself to work with a will to pay off the indebtedness; and the
results show that he was successful in accomplishing the undertaking,
which was no small matter in those early days, when money was so
hard to get.
Dec. 3, 1835, he married Maria SPENCER, daughter of Ithamer
and Matilda SPENCER. Mr. Spencer was born in Columbia Co., N. Y.
He came to this county with his parents in 1796, and settled in the
town of Maryland. He moved to Unadilla in 1840, and in 1844 was
chosen a ruling elder of the Presbyterian church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were born four children, two of whom
are now living, namely, David P. and Watson, both of whom are living
on the old homestead with their mother. They have a fine farm, and
some of the best stock in the town. Mr. Chapman was a man of unusual
industry, of unbending integrity, of unflinching fidelity to his
convictions, and of consistent piety. Hence he was highly esteemed by all
who knew him. He was for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died Feb. 1, 1869.--
Excerpt from History of Otsego Co., NY, page 350